Plant Controller

Colgate; Bowling Green (KY); On-site; USD 124,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive Company, including Hill's Pet Nutrition, seeks a Plant Controller to act as the site's primary financial leader and strategic advisor. You will drive plant financial planning, cost management, and internal controls, mentoring a finance team and partnering with plant leadership to optimize variances and ROI.

You will lead capital investment evaluations and drive continuous improvement initiatives to support the delivery of world-class pet nutrition and enhance cross-functional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related business field.
• 7+ years of professional experience in a corporate or plant finance/accounting environment.
• 3+ years of direct people leadership experience managing finance or accounting professionals.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing and office environment, including desk work and plant floor interactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the site's consolidated budget processes, latest estimates (LEs), and monthly financial close analysis, providing strategic variance insights to Plant Leadership and Global Supply Chain Finance.
• Provide strategic financial guidance to manufacturing partners, analyzing risk/benefit relationships, cost structures, and operational decisions to minimize variable conversion costs and drive savings.
• Manage and mentor the plant finance team, overseeing professional development while establishing robust governance, internal controls, and asset protection systems in compliance with Colgate Financial Policies.
• Evaluate plant capital investments and engineering spend, utilizing ROI models, Capital Management systems, and fixed-asset ledger reviews to optimize capital spend.
• Drive process automation, continuous improvement and cost savings activities across accounts payable, inventory cycle counts, and financial reporting to enhance operational efficiency across cross-functional plant teams.

Skills

People leadership

Budgeting

Cost analysis

Financial analysis

Manufacturing finance

SAP

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field

Tools

SAP

Google Suite

Microsoft Excel

Enterprise financial reporting systems

Job description

A part of Colgate-Palmolive since 1976, Hill's Pet Nutrition offers the highest-quality pet nutrition available through product lines Prescription Diet® and Science Diet®. Veterinarians worldwide recommend and feed their own pets Hill's products more than any other brand of pet food.

Available in approximately 80 countries around the world, our extensive line of products includes more than 60 Prescription Diet brand pet foods and more than 50 Science Diet brand pet foods.

We believe all animals should be loved and cared for during their lifetimes. That is why we are proud our pet foods can make a difference in your pet's life.

A career at Hill's Pet Nutrition or Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.

Travel Required?: Travel - up to 10% of time

Posting Start Date: 9/19/26

On-site

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country

Job Number#176178 - Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values-Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous, we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

Role Summary:

As the Plant Controller at Hill's Pet Nutrition, you will serve as the site's primary financial leader and strategic advisor, driving all plant financial planning, cost management, and internal controls. Reporting directly to the Director, Finance - Hill's Supply Chain, you will manage and mentor a site finance team including a Sr. Financial Analyst and Financial Analyst. This high-impact position empowers you to partner with plant leadership to optimize manufacturing variances, evaluate capital investment ROI, and lead continuous improvement initiatives that support our mission of delivering world‑class pet nutrition.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and execute the site's consolidated budget processes, latest estimates (LEs), and monthly financial close analysis, providing strategic variance insights to Plant Leadership and Global Supply Chain Finance.
• Provide strategic financial guidance to manufacturing partners, analyzing risk/benefit relationships, cost structures, and operational decisions to minimize variable conversion costs and drive savings.
• Manage and mentor the plant finance team, overseeing professional development while establishing robust governance, internal controls, and asset protection systems in compliance with Colgate Financial Policies.
• Evaluate plant capital investments and engineering spend, utilizing return-on-investment (ROI) models, Colgate-Palmolive Capital Management systems, and fixed‑asset ledger reviews to optimize capital spend.
• Drive process automation, continuous improvement and cost savings activities across accounts payable, inventory cycle counts, and financial reporting to enhance operational efficiency across cross‑functional plant teams.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related business field
• 7+ years of professional experience in a corporate or plant finance/accounting environment
• 3+ years of direct people leadership experience managing finance or accounting professionals
• Ability to work in a manufacturing and office environment, including sitting at a desk, entering data, navigating plant floor areas, and supporting business demands

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior financial analysis experience in a manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, or Consumer Product Goods environment.
• Advanced technical proficiency in SAP, Google Suite, Microsoft Excel, and enterprise financial reporting systems.
• Strong demonstration of Colgate leadership principles, showcasing proven strength in effective communication, cross‑functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and team development.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $124,000.00 - $174,000.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit‑sharing, and long‑term incentives for Executive‑level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people‑developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.